How much can I earn without losing Bürgergeld?

You can earn any amount, but income above €100 is partially deducted. The first €100 is fully exempt. Above that, graduated allowances apply: 20% of €100-520, 30% of €520-1,000, 10% of €1,000-1,200 (€1,500 with children). A €520 mini job lets you keep €184 extra per month.

What happens with a €520 mini job?

Your allowance is €100 + 20% of €420 = €184. Of the €520, €336 is deducted from your Bürgergeld. Your total income increases by €184 per month.

Do I have to report my side income to the Jobcenter?

Yes, immediately. All income must be reported — including mini jobs, one-time payments, and benefits in kind. Failure to report can result in repayment demands and sanctions.

What if I earn more than the thresholds?

There's no upper limit on earning. But the more you earn, the more gets deducted. At some point, your income exceeds your Bürgergeld entitlement and you exit the system — which also means you need to cover your own health insurance.

Are one-time payments also deducted?

Yes. One-time income above €50 (e.g., tax refunds, back payments, gifts over €50) is spread over 6 months and deducted accordingly. Inheritances and lottery winnings count as assets and are treated differently.

Bürgergeld Side Income 2026: How Much Can You Keep?

Bürgergeld and Side Jobs: Will They Take Everything?

You’re receiving Bürgergeld (Germany’s citizens’ benefit, the successor to Hartz IV) and want to improve your situation with a side job. But the big question remains: Is it even worth it? Or will the Jobcenter take away everything you earn?

The truth is: The system is more complicated than “all or nothing” — but it’s significantly better than most people think. With the graduated allowance model, you get to keep a portion of your earnings without your Bürgergeld being reduced.

In short: With Bürgergeld, the first €100 is completely exempt. Above that, graduated allowances apply (20%, 30%, 10%). With a €520 mini job, you keep €184 extra per month — that’s €2,208 more per year.

The 4-Tier Allowance Model

Income deduction works in four tiers under § 11b SGB II:

Tier	Income Range	Allowance	What You Keep
1	€0 – €100	100%	Everything
2	€100.01 – €520	20%	€0.20 per euro
3	€520.01 – €1,000	30%	€0.30 per euro
4	€1,000.01 – €1,200*	10%	€0.10 per euro

*€1,500 instead of €1,200 if you have minor children

Example 1: Mini Job at €520/Month

You’re single and earn €520 from a mini job.

Tier 1: €100 × 100% = €100 exempt
Tier 2: €420 × 20% = €84 exempt
Total allowance: €184
Deduction: €520 − €184 = €336
Your Bürgergeld decreases by €336, but your total income increases by €184

Standard rate (single): €563. With side job: €563 − €336 + €520 = €747/month instead of €563.

Example 2: Part-Time at €800/Month

Tier 1: €100 exempt
Tier 2: €420 × 20% = €84 exempt
Tier 3: €280 × 30% = €84 exempt
Total allowance: €268
Deduction: €800 − €268 = €532

Total income: €563 − €532 + €800 = €831/month. You keep €268 more than without a job.

Example 3: €1,200/Month with a Child

Tier 1: €100 exempt
Tier 2: €420 × 20% = €84 exempt
Tier 3: €480 × 30% = €144 exempt
Tier 4: €200 × 10% = €20 exempt
Total allowance: €348

You keep €348 more per month than without any income.

Calculate Automatically

The tiered calculation is error-prone by hand. Use our free Citizens’ Benefit Calculator to calculate your allowance instantly — including child supplement and different household situations.

Standard Rates 2026

Household	Standard Rate/Month
Single	€563
Couple (per person)	€506
Child 14-17 years	€471
Child 6-13 years	€390
Child 0-5 years	€357

Housing costs (rent + heating) are covered on top of the standard rate, provided they’re considered reasonable for your area.

Important Rules

Immediate Reporting Obligation

All income must be reported to the Jobcenter immediately. This includes mini jobs, temporary work, and one-time payments. Hiding income risks repayment demands and sanctions.

Deductible Expenses

Before income is counted, certain expenses are subtracted — such as commuting costs to work, work equipment, and insurance contributions. This can lower your countable income and effectively increase your allowance.

Common Mistakes

Not knowing about allowances — Many people think everything gets deducted. The graduated allowances make side jobs much more worthwhile than expected.
Forgetting to report — Even small earnings must be reported. Otherwise, you face repayment demands.
Ignoring deductible costs — Commuting costs to your job are subtracted before the deduction calculation. This can effectively increase your allowance.
Forgetting health insurance — While receiving Bürgergeld, you have mandatory health insurance coverage. If your income pushes you out of Bürgergeld, you need to arrange your own coverage.

How Restio Helps

Beyond Bürgergeld allowances, there are other tax-relevant topics — especially as you transition into employment. Restio supports you:

Allowance calculator — instantly see how much you keep at different income levels
Receipt scanning — capture deductible costs (commuting, work equipment) with a photo
AI tax expert — ask whether filing a tax return makes sense and what deductions you can claim

Try Restio free for 14 days and keep your finances in check.

Conclusion

A side job alongside Bürgergeld is worth it — more than most people think. With a €520 mini job, you keep €184 extra per month. With €800 part-time, it’s €268 extra. The graduated allowance model ensures that working always pays off. Calculate your specific case and always report your income to the Jobcenter immediately.